Drive-chain



A. ASSMUS.

DRIVE CHAIN.

(ModeL) Patented July 10. 1883.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ADOLPH ASSMUS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

DRIVE-CHAIN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 280,780, dated July 10, 1883 Application filed September 18,1882. (Modem To all whom it may concern/.-

Be it known that I, ADOLPH AssMUs, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and'State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Detachable Drive-Chain Links, of which the following, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a top or plan view of a detachable drivechain made of links embodying my invention, and Fig. 2 is a like representation of the link shown in Fig. 1.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts.

My invention relates to that class of detachable drive-chains in which the links are so constructed that accidental uncoupling is prevented by the employment of such means that each link must be intentionally moved articulatingly, and also laterally with relation to its fellow before disconnection can occur.

My object is to provide improved means for accomplishing the result above referred to; and to that end my invention consists in certain novel features of construction, which are hereinafter specifically set forth in my claim.

I11 the drawings, A represents a portion of a detachable drive-chain embodying my invention, and B B are the links, which, when coupled together, constitute a chain, A. The links B B each consist of side bars, a a, and of a cylindrical end ban-b, which connects the side bars at one end of the link. The end bars I) 1) project laterally a considerable way from their points of attachment to the side bars, as shown at c c, and directly back of and some way removed from the projecting parts 0 c are abrupt shoulders c 0, extending laterally outward from the side bars, as shown. I deem it preferable to bevel the ends of the bars b b, as shown at d (l, for the purpose hereinafter referred to.

e e are cylindrical openings or eyes in the f side bar ends not connected by an end bar I), and c e are abrupt shoulders located next to the eyes 6 e, and projecting laterally inward from the side bars, as shown- The rim or annulus which forms each eye 6 is cut away at the top thereof, as shown at e 6, so that the said annulus has a broad and also a narrow portion. I

To couple these, links I hold one vertically into the other eye 0, and then arrange the said 'link horizontally. The thicker parts of the rings forming the eyes cc of one link will then be in contact with the side bars of next link, and all further lateral movement will be prevented until one link is again arranged vertically, when it may be uncoupled by being pushed laterally against the thinner part of the ring of one eye, which will draw it out from the other eye, then tilted and drawn from the horizontal link.

It will be perceived that these links are incapable of being uncoupled while they are in working position, but that they may be uncoupled and again coupled with facility when necessary. It will also be perceived that three movements are necessary in order to nncouple the links-the vertical or articulating movement, the laterally-sliding movement, and the tilting and withdrawing of the linkthus rendering accidental uncoupling impossible.

So far as nowdescribed, the shoulders c c perform no mechanical functions, but are not essential, but preferable, as the chain is thereby made to have a uniformly straight edge, thus avoiding the liability of its catching on parts of machinery to which it may be attached. The shoulders e e perform the function of a stop to prevent the link from being turned too far when articulated for being uncoupled, and so that it will then stop at the proper place for being moved laterally. The purpose in beveling the ends of the end bars, b b, as shown at d, is toaid coupling and uncoupling of the links without making the end bars too short to engage the eyes 6 6 along the whole width of the annulus of the eyes. It is possible that under some circumstances additional features of construction may be deemed desirable, and I will now refer to some such features. A shoulder, f, on one link enters a corresponding notch, f; on the next link, and a rib or shoulder, f, on the end bar, I), enters a corresponding notch in the shoulder e, the

purpose of which shoulders and notches is to prevent the spreading of those ends of the links which are not connected by a permanent end bar, 1).

Having thus described my inventiomwhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A drive-chain in which are combined the detachable links B B, having side bars wherein are the cylindrical eyes 0 0, each formed by means of a complete ring or annulus with a portion, 0, cut away laterally, and having the inwardlyprojecting shoulders c c thereon near the open ends of the links, and one of the said shoulders having therein a notch, f, the opposite ends of the side bars being connected by means of 15 end bars, I) I), having beveled ends and extending laterally beyond their points of connection with the side bars, the said end bars having thereon a lip or rib, 1 and a rib or shoulder, f, substantially as and for the purposes speei 2o fied.

ADOLPI-I ASSMUS.

\Vitnesses:

F. F. XVARNER, J. B. HALPENNY. 

